David Sirota: Big Tax Bills for the Poor, Tiny Ones for the Rich

[marmar]

from truthdig:


Big Tax Bills for the Poor, Tiny Ones for the Rich

Posted on Jan 23, 2015
By David Sirota


American politics are dominated by those with money. As such, America’s tax debate is dominated by voices that insist the rich are unduly persecuted by high taxes and that low-income folks are living the high life. Indeed, a new survey by the Pew Research Center recently found that the most financially secure Americans believe “poor people today have it easy.”

The rich are certainly entitled to their own opinions—but, as the old saying goes, nobody is entitled to his or her own facts. With that in mind, here’s a set of tax facts that’s worth considering: Middle- and low-income Americans are facing far higher state and local tax rates than the wealthy. In all, a comprehensive analysis by the nonpartisan Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy finds that the poorest 20 percent of households pay on average more than twice the effective state and local tax rate (10.9 percent) as the richest 1 percent of taxpayers (5.4 percent).

ITEP researchers say the incongruity derives from state and local governments’ reliance on sales, excise and property taxes rather than on more progressively structured income taxes that increase rates on higher earnings. They argue that the tax disconnect is helping create the largest wealth gap between the rich and middle class in American history.

“In recent years, multiple studies have revealed the growing chasm between the wealthy and everyone else,” Matt Gardner, executive director of ITEP, said. “Upside-down state tax systems didn’t cause the growing income divide, but they certainly exacerbate the problem. State policymakers shouldn’t wring their hands or ignore the problem. They should thoroughly explore and enact tax reform policies that will make their tax systems fairer.” ..............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/big_tax_bills_for_the_poor_tiny_ones_for_the_rich_20150123

[Scuba]

1. K&R More here ....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/108414147

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

2. My challenge to anyone who wants to at least pretend they're not a hypocrite...

If you actually think that anyone poorer than you has a better life than you do, then why the hell don't you give away enough wealth so that you're as poor as them and can live that better life?

And if you don't, you lose the right to talk about or pass legislation to make their lives even harder.